Mercedes Dominates Day 3 of Barcelona Testing: A Thrilling Showdown on the Track!
In an electrifying display of speed and skill, Mercedes has shattered expectations during the third day of Formula 1 testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, clinching the top two spots on the timing charts. As the sun broke through the clouds in Montmelo, the paddock buzzed with activity as teams seized their opportunity to push their machines to the limit.
After a lackluster Tuesday where only Red Bull and Ferrari managed to hit the tarmac, Wednesday transformed into a high-octane battleground as five teams revved their engines, eager to make their mark. Mercedes, Haas, Audi, Racing Bulls, and Alpine all took to the track, while McLaren introduced its sleek new MCL40 for its maiden run—making quite a statement with Lando Norris at the helm.
The day concluded with Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli clocking an unofficial blistering time of 1:17.362, leaving the competition in his dust. George Russell trailed closely behind, finishing just over two-tenths of a second back. In total, the dominant duo helped Mercedes complete an astounding 183 laps—over 850 km of track time, bringing their weekly total to a staggering 334 laps. Clearly, the Silver Arrows are on a mission and looking to reclaim their supremacy!
Lando Norris, the newly crowned world champion, took his turn in the spotlight as he piloted the all-black MCL40, boldly emblazoned with a ‘payaya’ number one. Norris didn’t hold back, logging over a race distance with a commendable 76 laps under his belt, showcasing McLaren’s potential for the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, Alpine’s Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly split driving duties effectively, with Colapinto finishing fourth overall after completing 58 laps, while Gasly managed an impressive 67 laps in their new A526. However, it was a day of mixed fortunes for Haas, as Oliver Bearman faced technical challenges that limited him to only 42 laps, ultimately bringing out the red flags on two occasions.
Among the standout performers was Arvid Lindblad from Racing Bulls, who completed the highest lap count of the day with a remarkable 120 tours of the circuit, firmly establishing his presence in the competitive mix. On the flip side, Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg struggled, finishing last on the time sheets with a time of 3.648 seconds off the pace after his day was marred by a lengthy stoppage.
As the unofficial testing results pour in, the excitement in the air is palpable. With no official live timing for media access, these results have been meticulously compiled from various sources. The stakes have never been higher, and the tension is mounting as teams prepare for the upcoming season.
Testing Results from Day 3 (Barcelona): 1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:17.362, 91 Laps 2. George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.218, 92 Laps 3. Lando Norris (McLaren) – +0.945, 76 Laps 4. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – +1.788, 58 Laps 5. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – +1.835, 67 Laps 6. Oliver Bearman (Haas) – +1.948, 42 Laps 7. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) – +2.058, 120 Laps 8. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) – +3.648, 68 Laps
As the adrenaline-fueled action continues in Barcelona, fans and teams alike are left on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating what the next days of testing will unveil. Stay tuned for more updates as the drama unfolds in this riveting motorsport saga!








